Education

Female Candidates Outnumber Males in 2026 WASSCE, Says WAEC

The West African Examinations Council says female candidates have outnumbered their male counterparts in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, with more than 1.95 million candidates enrolled nationwide. WAEC says the examination began on April 21 and will end on June 19.

By Oyetoke Adedayo Ebenezer

1 min read 17 views Updated Aug 28, 2026
The Head of the Nigeria National Office of the West African Examinations Council, Dr Amos Dangut, says female candidates have outnumbered their male counterparts in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination. He disclosed this during a press briefing at the council’s national office in Yaba, Lagos. 

According to Dangut, a total of 1,959,636 candidates from 24,207 schools enrolled for the examination. Of the figure, 958,564 candidates, representing 48.92 per cent, are male, while 1,001,072 candidates, representing 51.08 per cent, are female. He said the figures show an increase in female participation and a decline in male participation compared to the previous year. 

WAEC also said the 2026 WASSCE commenced on April 21 with practical papers and is expected to end on June 19. Candidates will sit for 37 subjects comprising 97 papers, while about 29,000 senior secondary school teachers nominated by Ministries of Education across the country are participating as supervisors. 

Dangut further assured candidates and stakeholders that the council would release the results 45 days after the final paper. He also noted that the council has continued measures such as serialisation of examination pap

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The West African Examinations Council says female candidates have outnumbered their male counterparts in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, with more than 1.95 million candidates enrolled nationwide. WAEC says the examination began on April 21 and will end on June 19. The Head of the Nigeria National Office of the West African Examinations Council, Dr...

Key takeaways
  • The West African Examinations Council says female candidates have outnumbered their male counterparts in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, with more than 1.95 million candidates enrolled nationwide.
  • WAEC says the examination began on April 21 and will end on June 19.
  • The Head of the Nigeria National Office of the West African Examinations Council, Dr Amos Dangut, says female candidates have outnumbered their male counterparts in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
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The West African Examinations Council says female candidates have outnumbered their male counterparts in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, with more than 1.95 million candidates enrolled nationwide. WAEC says the examination began on April 21 and will end on June 19. The Head of the Nigeria National Office of the West African Examinations Council, Dr...

Who published this story?

Glow 99.1 FM published this story with Oyetoke Adedayo Ebenezer listed as author.

When was it published?

May 11, 2026

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